Albany shifts defensive assistant roles

Albany, NY (Sports Network) - Drew Christ has taken over as Albany's defensive
coordinator in a shift of coaching roles, the university announced Friday.

Christ, entering his eighth season in a second stint on staff, replaces
longtime assistant Mike Simpson, who has stepped down from the coordinator's
role to focus on the development of the squad's young linebackers,

"We graduated a pretty good core of linebackers with a ton of playing
experience," head coach Bob Ford said. "We are now turning to a younger, pretty
talented group of kids, but not with many battle scars on them. Mike will step
in and take those duties over a little more undivided than he has in the past."

Christ, who has coached Albany's defensive backs, previously was a defensive
coordinator at the University of Rochester.

Albany had a 9-2 record and earned a share of the Northeast Conference title
this past season. The Great Danes will join CAA Football next season.